Car bursts into flames at Harlow Carr

Visitors leaving RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate on Saturday were shocked to see a car burst into flames in the car-park. 

The car, believed to be an 11-year-old, yellow, three-door Vauxhall Corsa, was seen with smoke coming out from under its bonnet, before the fire took hold.

One visitor, Kim Jones, told the Stray Ferret: 

“We were just coming to the exit at Harlow Carr and suddenly a huge plume of smoke appeared in the car-park. Then one of the cars just went ‘whoosh’ and burst into flames. 

“There was at least one explosion – something in the car exploded – but fortunately it didn’t get to the petrol tank.” 

Firefighters were called to the scene at 4.43pm and kept bystanders at a distance while they put out the blaze. 

Ms Jones said:

“I thought it was my car at first, but it turned out to be a car a couple of spaces away from mine. It was quite late in the afternoon, so fortunately there weren’t many other cars there at the time.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and RHS Harlow Carr for more information.

Photo of a car on fire in the car-park of RHS Harlow Carr.

Photo: Kim Jones.

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Northern pledges to target persistent fare dodgers on its services

Northern has pledged to crackdown on persistent fare dodgers on its services.

The rail company, which operates services through Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds and York, issued the warning and promised to prosecute those who dodge fares for historic cases.

The move comes as the firm set up its digital fraud investigations team in 2021 amid a surge in digital tickets after the covid pandemic.

Around 70% of tickets on Northerns services are bought online.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: 

“Fare evasion hasn’t been as simple as people just not buying a ticket for quite some time.

“There are people who try to outsmart the system through a complex process of fraudulent refund requests, delay repay claims and a process known as ‘short faring’.

“What those people might not realise is that, as with any electronic transaction, our systems are able to identify suspicious activity and bring it to the attention of our specialist investigators.”

The company said it investigated 108,681 reports of attempted fare evasion in the 2022-23 financial year.

It attended 301 court sittings during the same period, helping to secure 14,072 convictions.

Northern said the prosecutions help to recoup £2.9 million in lost revenue for the taxpayer.

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Yorkshire Water begins installing parking charges equipment at Harrogate district reservoirs

Work is set to begin this week to install equipment and infrastructure at Harrogate district reservoirs as part of a parking charges trial.

Yorkshire Water is undertaking the work at Swinsty Moor car park today, with Swinsty Stack Point, Thruscross and Fewston set to follow afterwards.

The company is introducing payment machines and automatic number plate recognition cameras at the reservoirs.

It will see charges introduced at the car parks from early 2024.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said: 

“We know how important our sites are to local communities and visitors alike. We have thought long and hard about the way people use our sites before implementing this trial, as well as considering approaches at similar sites around the country. We believe a small parking fee and increased security will help to dissuade anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping, at our sites but also have a long-term positive impact in terms of the projects we can deliver in the future.

“Our brand-new, in-house ranger team will be supported as a direct result of introducing these charges and we have a wide range of exciting conservation, community and facilities enhancements lined up for the future.

“We will be collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of these tariffs in 2024 causes minimal disruption and will be working hard to ensure all our visitors are aware of the charges before they arrive at our sites.”

Car park users will be able to pay via card payment on site, by using the RingGo app or telephone.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3 and an all day pass for £5.

Meanwhile, an annual pass for all car parks will cost £30.

Parking will remain free for blue badge holders.

Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, has been appointed to operate the parking meters. 

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Stray Ferret Business Awards: Do you have a rising star you want to recognise?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Rising Star under 30 Award, which is sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants.

This award is designed to highlight some of the young talent from across the Harrogate district.

Those nominated or who enter for the Rising Star under 30 Award are sure to make waves and build a successful career in the years to come.

Entries for this category need to provide details of the person’s background and position they hold in the business. Provide examples of how the entrant’s work ethic has affected the business for the better.

Do you know someone who deserves to win the Rising Star Under 30 Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Police release CCTV image after fight in Harrogate McDonald’s

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a fight in McDonald’s in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Sunday, October 15, and involved multiple people fighting in the fast food outlet on Cambridge Road at 4.30am.

North Yorkshire Police has arrested two men, aged 19 and 31, in connection with the incident.

Now, officers have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to as part of their investigation.

A police statement added:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email benjamin.ambler2@northyorkshire.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference number 12230195734 when passing on information.”

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Historic Harrogate building to be converted back into a home

A former stately home in Harrogate dating back to the 18th century will be converted back into housing after being used as offices.

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to convert the grade II listed Bilton Court on Wetherby Road into a single home.

Built in 1740 and close to the Great Yorkshire Showground, it’s described in planning documents as being a “jewel in the crown” of Harrogate.

The building is currently used by local firm Geoplan as its main offices but because of the increase in working from home since the covid pandemic, documents submitted by Townscape Architects say it is “no longer needed, practical or economical” to be used by the business.

Two side extensions were added to the building in 1820 and a chapel was built in 1889.

A futher extension will be built to be used as a garage and garden room and a warehouse building that is part of the site will also be converted into a separate home.

Documents add: 

“It is proposed to convert the property back into a dwelling which we believe is more befitting of a property of this nature and will preserve and prolong the life of the building as it was first designed.

“Overall, because the property was initially designed as a residential property it lends itself well to being converted into one now. As a result a light touch approach was used with as little intervention as possible.

“This means the heritage asset will disturbed as little as possible. Where new additions are made the intention has been to make them as obvious as possible to ensure they don’t confuse and detract from the heritage asset.”

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Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘Dementia Forward is a home for me’

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, Flora spoke to a mother and daughter who use the charity’s services.

Growing up, parents seem invincible, and the thought of one day caring for them seems a lifetime away.

But in reality, thousands of people are caring for their parents living with dementia, and losing their loved ones before their very eyes.

One of them is Beverley Mitcheson, who looks after her mother, Mary Yelland. They told us their story.

Mary was once a talented window-dresser. She is a mother to her children, grandmother to her grandchildren and even great-grandmother to her great-grandchildren – Mary lived a normal life before getting dementia.

Beverley said:

“We noticed a lot of changes in mum, and we all knew she wasn’t remembering things, but it wasn’t until last year that we finally took action.

“There’s no handbook in these situations – you don’t know what to do.”

Beverley felt at a loss as to how best to support her 91-year-old mother, who had recently been diagnosed with this progressive disease.

Luckily, her husband had noticed the Dementia Forward minibus around the area and got in touch about Mary’s diagnosis.

Beverley said:

“As a carer, you never feel you’re doing enough.”

Beverley took on the role as her mum’s carer 18 months ago and, as a mother and grandmother herself, struggled to juggle it all.

After a home visit from the Dementia Forward team, they stepped in to provide Mary with specialist care she needed.

Fast forward a year, and she now goes attends the Hub Club twice a week with a smile on her face.

Beverley added:

“I couldn’t manage without these two days.

“I love my mum so much – she’s happy.

“I know she’s stimulated here – which is something I can’t do for her –  and they’re the main things.”

Mary with other members at the Hub Club.

The Hub Club offers those living with dementia the opportunity to spend the day at the Burton Leonard site. They play board games, have coffee and cake over crosswords, take part in quizzes and listen to their favourite songs. But most importantly, the members are socialising.

Dementia can be extremely isolating and people often feel misunderstood, but the group combats that and makes those people feel understood.

Beverley added:

“Dementia isn’t physical – people can’t see it – so, for her to be somewhere she’s understood is just amazing.”

The charity has brought light to a life-changing situation for Mary and Beverley, as well as hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.

Mary said:

“When I come here, I just feel like I’m going to see my friends – it’s like a family.

“It’s like entering a haven where I don’t need to worry about anything. It’s a home for me.”

 

However, Beverley still has to watch this dementia take her mother from her.

Dementia Forward continues to support them, along with thousands of other families every week, but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need. 

Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Father Christmas postal service returns, thanks to hospital charity

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC) has announced the return of its seasonal postal service to Father Christmas.

Children can now receive a personalised letter from the man himself, complete with an Official North Pole Certificate and a Christmas colouring sheet selection.

All their parent or guardian has to do is complete the booking form on the HHCC website by Sunday, December 3. The service is free, but the charity welcomes voluntary donations.

All letters will be posted between Monday, December 4 and Friday, December 8 to ensure they arrive before Christmas Eve.

Every child who receives a letter from Father Christmas will also be in with a chance of winning a prize, kindly donated by Imagined Things Bookshop in Harrogate, just in time for Christmas.

Georgia Hudson, volunteer and charity manager, said:

“The HHCC and Volunteer Team are delighted to be able to run the Letters from Father Christmas initiative for the second year running.

“We received some wonderful feedback from supporters last year and hope to continue to bring a smile onto your loved ones faces with some sparkle and excitement from the main man himself!

“Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support HHCC, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

In addition, any child wanting to post their own letter to Father Christmas can find a template letter here.

These can be posted at the festive post-box situated at the main entrance of Harrogate District Hospital from Friday, December 1.

Children can also hand-deliver their own letters to Father Christmas himself this November, as he is stopping by at HHCC’s Outdoor Pop-up Christmas Market at Harrogate Railway Athletic FC in Starbeck on November 26, from 10am to 3pm. Tickets can be bought via HHCC’s website.

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Harrogate school crash: US colonel to face trial next month

The trial of a highly decorated American colonel accused of seriously injuring two schoolboys in a collision in Harrogate is to take place next month.

Benjamin Oakes, 46, of Tewit Well Avenue, Harrogate, is charged with causing injury by careless or inconsiderate driving on Yew Tree Lane on February 2. He has pleaded not guilty.

Two 15-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered serious injuries in the collision near Ashville College.

A pick-up trick has crashed into a wall outside Ashville College

The scene on Yew Tree Lane in February.

A two-day hearing is scheduled to begin at York Magistrates Court on December 11, a case management hearing in York was told on Friday. Mr Oakes, who is on unconditional bail, did not attend.

He previously appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court in August when both he and magistrates opted not to send the case to crown court, where he would have faced a jury trial.

The schoolboys are expected to give evidence via a video link during the trial.

According to his LinkedIn profile, which was taken down before August’s hearing, Mr Oakes is chief of the space policy division for the US joint chiefs of staff at the Pentagon.

The joint chiefs of staff consists of the most senior leaders in the United States Department of Defense, which advises the president.

He was previously a political-military analyst in the space policy division and before that was commander of the operational support squadron in the US Airforce.

Hundreds of US military personnel are stationed at RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate.

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Council plans extra care housing scheme for Cardale Park

North Yorkshire Council has proposed building an extra care housing scheme on land at Cardale Park in Harrogate.

The authority purchased the three-acre site in on Beckwith Head Lane in January 2022 for £1.8 million.

The land was previously owned by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health services in the district.

Now, the council has launched a survey on creating an extra care housing scheme on the site.

Extra care housing is specialist housing designed for older people. It offers help with personal care and household chores and is designed to give residents independence.

The authority said the project could become an “asset to the local community” in light of the extensive housebuilding planned for the west of Harrogate.

In its survey, it said:

“We acknowledge that the site, at present, is fairly remote, however, the proposed plan for local development includes building over 1,200 new homes, a primary school, a cricket pitch, a football hub and community woodland space, creating a vibrant surrounding community hub, with the extra care scheme becoming an asset to the local community, providing affordable housing for older people in an idyllic rural location.”

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The deadline for the council’s survey is November 29.

The land was previously given approval for a 36-bed mental health facility on the site, following the closure of Harrogate District Hospital’s Briary Unit, which helped adults with mental illness.

However, those plans were dropped in 2019 and inpatients on the unit were sent to Foss Park Hospital in York instead.